Toyochem, the polymers and coating arm of Japan’s Toyo Ink Group, has launched a new low odour, low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive for use in enclosed spaces such as vehicles and building interiors.
Oribain™ EXK 21-046 has been developed to demonstrate good bonds to metals, plastics, textiles and other substrates, as well as being capable of reducing total volatile organic compounds (T-VOCs), or the indoor air concentration of a mixture of multiple VOCs, to levels less than one tenth of conventional products. The new low VOC acrylic PSAs also effectively reduce odour levels, resulting in the increased health and comfort of indoor occupants.
The demand for low impact interior materials has become a global trend, VOC emission regulations have tightened worldwide due to growing public and industry awareness of the importance of indoor air quality. VOCs are suspected to be one of the major causes of sick building syndrome and sensory irritation, so building interior materials made from low VOC emitting materials are being used where possible. In addition, the rise in electric vehicles and automated driving technology is expected to drive the demand for low odour, low VOC materials used in automobile interiors.
“While our conventional PSAs clear the indoor VOC concentration guidelines set by the Japanese government, the newly developed EXK 21-046 system were able to dramatically reduce trace amounts of T-VOCs that remain in standard type products and to improve air quality,” explains Nao Nakamura, general manager of Toyochem’s adhesives division. “Toyochem research teams achieved this by developing a material that is not easily retained in the adhesive system and by applying our original polymerisation and compounding technologies to better control viscoelasticity of the adhesive material. This results in a substantial reduction in T-VOC concentrations and lower odour intensity without compromising adhesive performance. We believe the new EXK 21-046 PSA will help to realise indoor living spaces that are healthier for their occupants and for the Earth.”
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